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Tinubu Launches Agric Empowerment Programme In Yobe
Tinubu Launches Agric Empowerment Programme In Yobe
…Restates firm resolve to create jobs, diversify Nigeria’s economy
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Tinubu has launched the Yobe State Agricultural Empowerment Programme in Damaturu, the state capital,
as part of efforts of his government to ensure food security and stimulate economic growth across Nigeria,
The initiative, which includes the provision of agricultural machinery and implements, is part of a broader national strategy to revolutionise Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Speaking during the launch of the programme in Damaturu, Tinubu who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the programme is at the heart of his administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance food security, create jobs, and diversify Nigeria’s economy through agriculture.
Tinubu stressed the critical role of agriculture in national development and security, saying “food is the heart of security in every society.”
He said: “It is the foundation upon which we build our health, our well-being, and our economic stability. There’s no way we are going to achieve our grand goals as a government, whether at the state or national level, until we support and empower our farmers.”
The President noted that apart from boosting agricultural output, the initiative also aims to engage more Nigerians in the nation’s economic life.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to modernising the agricultural sector, including the livestock industry.
The President said the recently approved Ministry of Livestock Development is intended “to improve livestock production in the country and to change the destiny and narratives of our livestock production.”
On the shift towards modern farming techniques, the President said: “Each of us in this gathering must come to terms with the fact that the era of relying on rain-fed agriculture is gone. These machines are here to ease our practice of irrigation farming.”
The launch of the agric empowerment programme also saw the President approving Yobe State’s request for additional resources to support its agricultural ambitions.
These include “mini-rigs for tube wells, solar water pumps, agro-chemicals, power tillers, more fertilisers, and other farm implements to complement your irrigation scheme.”
Tinubu also addressed security concerns, assuring the audience that the government is “taking drastic measures to address the security challenges to make farmlands safe and accessible in every state of the federation.”
Shettima who represented the President at the event also visited the Emir of Damaturu, Alhaji Shehu Hashim II Ibn Umar Al-Amin El-Kanemi, to convey President Tinubu’s high regard for Yobe State and its people.
Shettima praised Governor Mai Mala Buni’s achievements, particularly in agricultural investments, emphasising the potential for agricultural mechanisation in the state.
Responding, the Emir of Damaturu expressed gratitude for President Tinubu’s support and appreciated the administration’s efforts towards national progress.
Earlier, Governor Buni of Yobe State reaffirmed the state’s support for the Tinubu administration, acknowledging the challenges faced by Yobe, particularly in the agricultural sector.
He said, “In spite of all the challenges, agriculture remains the major preoccupation of our people. With the improvement in security across the state, farmlands are now accessible in almost all the local government areas.”
The Governor mentioned several government initiatives to revitalize agriculture, including an Agricultural Summit, the constitution of a Steering Committee on Revitalization of Agriculture, and partnerships with organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
He added that the state government, in collaboration with the federal government, has established Livestock Development Centres to address farmer-herdsmen clashes and boost meat and dairy production.
Buni also noted the revival of the 2000-hectare Lava Irrigation Scheme and the establishment of four Sesame Seeds processing factories across the state.
“This State Visit is no doubt a significant milestone as we launch the agricultural empowerment programme,” he added.
The items distributed include 100 Zoom Lion Tractors, 10 IMC Double Cabin 4-wheel drive vehicles for extension service supervision, 200 motorcycles for extension workers, 300 sets of ox-drawn ploughs, 5,349 small ruminants (goats), 1,349 hand-push planters, 889 hand-push plough machines, 590 hand-push tiller machines, 4,202 solar-powered irrigation water pumps, improved assorted seeds, and 72,000 bags of fertilizer.
Dignitaries present at the event include the Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori; APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu; Senator Osita Izunaso; former President of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan; Rep. Khadijah Bukar Abba Ibrahim; Deputy Governor of Yobe State, Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana; Speaker of the Yobe State House of Assembly, Hon. Buba Chiroma-Mashio, and his Deputy, Hon. Ya’u Usman Dachia.
Also in attendance were the Yobe State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Mohammed Gadaka; Yobe State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Mohammed Gagiyo; former Special Adviser on Budget, Alhaji Sulieman Jamo; Emir Jajeri, Mai Hamza ibn Buba Mashio; Emir of Bade, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Sulaiman; Chief Judge of Yobe, Gumna Kashim Kaigama; Yobe State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ahmed Garba; members of the House of Representatives, Lawan Shettima, Fatima Talba and Tijjani Zanna Zakariyya, among others.
Tinubu Launches Agric Empowerment Programme In Yobe
Navy officer, family abducted in Kachia
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have abducted a naval officer and members of his family in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Aug. 20, 2025, at about 0200hrs, when the gunmen stormed Unguwan Mission, Kachia, and whisked away Seaman Olatunji Enoch, 40, of the Nigerian Navy attached to NNSAT Kachia.
The assailants also took away his wife, Margaret Olatunji, 25, and their daughter, Hellen Bitrus, 13, during the attack.
Security agencies have since launched a manhunt for the perpetrators, with cordon-and-search operations ongoing in surrounding bushes. The operation aims to ensure the safe rescue of the victims without harm.
Navy officer, family abducted in Kachia
News
International Police Academy – UNIPOL Appoints Joseph Icha, as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section
International Police Academy – UNIPOL Appoints Joseph Icha, as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The international Police Academy (UNIPOL) has Appointed Deputy Commander General (DCG) Joseph Icha,
Director Training and Manpower Development, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section.
A statement from the academy’s management stated that “the academy proudly announces the appointment of
DCG Joseph Icha, Director Training and Manpower Development, NDLEA as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section.
“This appointment recognizes
DCG Joseph Icha, Director Training and Manpower Development, NDLEA. exceptional contributions to national security, law enforcement leadership, and international cooperation.”
Icha has served the Agency in various Senior Management capacities as Principal Staff Officer, Assistant State Commander, Assistant Director, State Commander, and Deputy Director among others, with commendations.
The new international counter narcotics boss has attended several law enforcement courses on Drug Supply Suppression and Drug Demand Reduction within and outside the country.
“He is a Master Trainer with the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC) in Drug Law Enforcement intelligence led investigation strategies and Criminal Intelligence. ” said the statement.
Joseph Icha has facilitated training programmes on behalf of UNODC to various law enforcement agencies in the country.
DCG Joseph Icha is a Law Enforcement Operative, mentor, curriculum designer, and advisor per excellence.
He is also a member of several international professional Organizations and currently is the Director Training and Manpower Development of NDLEA.
This important appointment was pronounced under the leadership of Dr. Alexander Jan M (Hany El Zahar), Executive Director, Founder, and CEO of the International Police Academy – UNIPOL, and IPA President (Rtd.) Senior Superintendent of Police Shuaib Adam HSC OLY VJ, International Director of Law Enforcement, Police, and Military, with the support of Prof. Yuval Binstoc (IPA) and Sir Junustia Brecen.
International Police Academy – UNIPOL Appoints Joseph Icha, as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section
Plateau State Complied with the deadline for 2024 Audited financial Reports…. Manset
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Plateau State Accountant General Naanret Manset has said that it was not true that Plateau state has refused to comply with the deadline given to states for the submission of 2024 audited financial statements.
Reacting to a report published recently, the accountant general in a statement noted that “the attention of the Office of the Accountant-General of Plateau State has been drawn to a publication by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) titled ‘It’s Past Deadline, 5 States Fail to Publish 2024 Financial Statements’, which wrongly lists Plateau State as one of the defaulters.”
Naanret Manset maintained that “For the record, Plateau State fully complied with all statutory timelines for the preparation, audit, and publication of its 2024 audited financial statements
“Submitted same to the Auditor-General in May, 2025 which is within the stipulated period of 6 months.
“Audit completed in June, 2025 and forwarded to the House of Assembly which is also within the stipulated period of 3 months.
“Approved by the House of Assembly
Published online on 27 July 2025, below the legal timeline of 9 months.
The audited report is publicly available here:
“We urge FIJ to promptly correct their publication and remove Plateau State from the list of non-compliant states.
Plateau State remains committed to transparency, accountability, and timely financial reporting.” It noted.
The FIJ had recently published that six Nigerian states are yet to publish their audited financial statements for the 2024 fiscal year.
It revealed that five of such erring states have already past their statutorily implied deadlines which Plateau is saying is not true as it applies to them.
The publication had said that ” erring states are Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau and Rivers.
“In Akwa Ibom’s case, its amended 2021 audit law gives the auditor general up to nine months to publish the report online after submitting it to the House of Assembly.
“The Accountant General has six months to present the books, followed by a 90-day audit and submission period.
” In the other five states, audit laws differ in the year they were enacted or updated, but the process is similar.
“The Accountant General must submit the financial documents to the audit office within three months after the financial year ends.
” The Auditor General is then required to audit the report, send it to the House of Assembly and publish it immediately.
“The Ogun State Audit Law (2021), Rivers State Audit Law (2021, as amended), Akwa Ibom State Audit Law (2021), Oyo State Audit Commission Law (2021) and Plateau State Audit Law (2021) all set out these requirements.
” In Rivers, however, publishing the audit is left to the discretion of the Auditor General.
“In past years, these states have published their audits between June and August. Some have also been ranked among the lowest in transparency.
” The CJID Openness Index, released in July 2024, placed all six in the bottom tier along with 10 others.”
Recently, FIJ reported Akwa Ibom’s repeated disregard for budgetary transparency despite binding provisions in its Fiscal Responsibility Law.
The FIJ report maintained that two states Yobe and Ekiti, scored above average for transparency and accountability in 2024, with 73 per cent and 54 per cent, according to the Sub national Audit Efficacy Index, published by the Paradigm Leadership Initiative.
The report noted that the annual assessment, which measures financial transparency and policy adoption across Nigeria’s state governments, shows a familiar trend: “stagnation or decline.”
Plateau State Complied with the deadline for 2024 Audited financial Reports…. Manset
Navy officer, family abducted in Kachia
International Police Academy – UNIPOL Appoints Joseph Icha, as Director International Counter Narcotics Training Nigeria Section
Plateau State Complied with the deadline for 2024 Audited financial Reports…. Manset
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